BEST OF ZAMBIA Photo Safari in Zambia

DATES

COST

GUIDES

GENRE

GROUP SIZE

24 November to 04 December 2018 (11 days)

US$ 11,000 per person sharing

Isak Pretorius + 1

Wildlife and birds

4 – 8 photographers

With its concentration and diversity of wildlife, South Luangwa National Park offers an unrivalled safari experience. During November and mid December, three “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities present themselves to safari goers in Zambia. Go in search of the “jewel of the forest” – the rare, migratory African Pitta, while also being able to witness the unique, annual phenomenon of elephants regularly walking through Mfuwe Lodge reception. Go one step further and extend your safari to join renowned, Dutch-born ornithologist, Frank Willems to watch the world’s greatest migration – the highest density of mammals on earth – as 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats descend upon Zambia’s Kasanka National Park… just a short flight away.

Highlights

* ELEPHANTS WALKING THROUGH RECEPTION – A fascinating display of the initiative and the gentle, brave, and relaxed nature of these giant animals, that can now be observed and photographed on a photo safari for the first time

* JEWEL OF THE FOREST – It’s not difficult to understand why the spectacular, elusive and rare African Pitta is the most sought after bird for photographers in Africa, and now for the first time you’ll get a realistic chance to photograph it

* BIGGEST MAMMAL MIGRATION IN THE WORLD – The congregation of 10 million Straw-coloured Fruit Bats in a tiny patch of forest in Zambia is not only a natural history spectacle but on this photo safari you will be taught to get world class photos too

* UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES – This photo safari offers the only time and place where these three events, the elephants through reception, African Pitta, and biggest mammal migration in the world, can be photographed

* YOU WILL GET GREAT PHOTOS – Being on a photo safari as appose to a normal safari means that your specialist wildlife photographic guide will help to improve your photography to take world class photos no matter what level of photographer you are

* THE UNTAMED AFRICAN WILDERNESS – Both South Luangwa and Kasanka National Parks are unfenced with free roaming animals that offers the authentic African wilderness experience

* TEN DAYS OF SAFARI – Longer than a typical photo safari means that you have a better chance of seeing amazing sightings as well as a chance to explore all the genres of nature photography

* STRESS-FREE TRAVEL – This photo safari starts and ends at Zambia’s Lusaka International Airport – from there all travel, food, accommodation and photography activities are included – so just get yourself to Lusaka!!

* Request a PDF brochure under “Booking Information”

What People Say

Having been on a good number of safaris in Africa in the last few years, we’ve experienced a few different guides and places, and the South Luangwa with Isak is really up there amongst the best. Once away from the park entrance, there are not crowds of tourists, yet there is a diversity and plethora of wildlife. The local driver guides are probably the best you’ll find anywhere, and on top of their knowledge and skills, you have Isak working with them finding the best locations and positions for photographs. I challenge you to find anyone with a better technical knowledge and understanding of current cameras, and more significantly, the ability to put that expertise into practice. But he’s always very much at your service, and combines this advice and assistance with a great imagination to try something different and make the most of light and circumstance. It’s a fabulous combination.

Michael Parker

Absolutely amazing, awesome, wonderful… I dont really have the words! As a beginner I found the workshop the perfect opportunity to develop my skills and I learnt so much that I cannot wait for the next opportunity to practice. Meeting like-minded people with a passion for the bush and photography was a pleasure and I can only commend Mashatu for their patience, knowledge and willingness to accommodate photographers request. Isak Pretorius is a very talented, passionate photographer who was willing to share his knowledge and experience, and it was a privilege to learn from him. I found the course very well organized and can highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in photography and the bush. Very happy memories that will last a lifetime.Thank you all.

South Luangwa National Park

Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa.

The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km2 Park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.

With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the Park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season. An interest in the vegetation of Zambia will enhance your experience of the bush. Some magnificent trees and plants grow in the Luangwa Valley and it certainly adds to the richness of one’s experience to be able to recognize the different tree species and to discover exotic wildflowers. Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula and the magnificent tamarind tree. The are some magnificent baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire.

Seasonal changes are very pronounced in Luangwa. The dry season begins in April and intensifies through to October, the hottest month, when game concentrations are at their height. Warm sunny days and chilly nights typify the dry winter months of May to August. The wet season begins in November as the leaves turn green, and the dry bleak terrain becomes a lush jungle. The rainy season lasts up until the end of March and the migrant birds arrive in droves. Each lodge stays open for as long as access is possible, depending on its location in the area. There are several lodges that remain open all year in the central area of the park.

Click on the map to enlarge

Click on the map to enlarge

Kasanka National Park

Kasanka is a beautiful wilderness of woodland, plains, lakes, rivers and swamps in the North of Zambia. As well as its attraction for visitors it forms a valuable protected area for many endangered species. Kasanka is Zambia’s first national park under private management and is entirely reliant on tourism revenue and charitable funding. It is a valuable conservation area with diverse flora and fauna including many endangered species and exceptional birdlife.

Kasanka National Park is one of the most picturesque parks in Zambia and is open all year round. It contains a rich diversity of animal, bird and plant life including several rare species including sitatunga, wattled crane, Ross’s Lourie and Blue Monkeys. Kasanka is also host to a unique and spectacular congregation of several Million Straw-Coloured Fruitbats every November and December.

The arrival of 10 million straw coloured fruit bats into a tiny piece of swamp forest is probably the highlight of the Kasanka calendar. Beside being the world’s largest mammal migration, the annual Bat migration of Southern Africa’s largest bats provides safari lovers and photographers the opportunity for some of the most dramatic footage as millions upon millions of bats take to the skies in the early evening – often against a backdrop of vast and stormy skies or even better, a bright a full moon! At the crack of dawn, they all return to the forest to roost and it is at this time, when the chances of witnessing a natural predation act become a possibility as crowned, martial and fish eagles take to the skies to hunt the returning bats in the cool of the morning.

Another real special highlight for the safari enthusiast about a visit to Kasanka is the outstanding chance of getting clear and multiple sightings of one of Africa’s rarest animals – the swamp dwelling sitatunga. Pontoon campsite, Fibwe Hide and various other points in the park are known to deliver excellent sightings of the mysterious antelopes and should be a high up on any wildlife lover’s list to find!

These primates are another special part of Kasanka – the blue monkey is a species of Old World Monkey not commonly found anywhere else in Southern Africa while the Kinda Baboon has been identified and researched to show it as a completely separate species of baboon not found anywhere else in Zambia.

To boast a birdlist of over 500 species and be described by Ian Sinclair (one of the world’s leading and foremost experts in birding) as “offering some of Africa’s finest birding” is one thing. However, when you consider the size of Kasanka, you realize what a birding treasure this little park really is!

Click on the map to enlarge

Click on the map to enlarge

Photographic Destination

* Elephants walking through Mfuwe Lodge’s reception area to eat the wild mango inside the lodge

* African Pitta close to Bilimungwe Bushcamp

* Bat migration at Kasanka National Park

* Classic scenes of the Luangwa river meandering through the wide river banks

* Hundreds of Hippopotamus in the pools and main river

* Large elephant herds in the woodlands, drinking at the rivers edge and in front camp

* Flocks of storks, herons and egrets feeding in the drying pools for fish

* Excellent sightings of large water birds in the Luangwa River

* Buffalo herds drinking at the rivers edge numbering into the hundreds

* One of the best places to see lion hunting buffalo

Photography and Tutoring

IDENTIFYING PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

As we kick off the safari, Isak will spend one-on-one time with each participant to identify what level they are at and what areas they would most like to focus on. He will then explore the different components of photography with them applicable to this safari. There is no better learning opportunity than photographing so many world-class wildlife sightings day after day, in the ideal season, under professional guidance. The constant presence of a guide guarantees that your questions are answered immediately and this ensures a fast learning curve. Photographing day after day also ensures that all these lessons are fresh in the mind and are applied until programmed into your subconscious.

SUBJECTS TO BE COVERED

We will look at the basic technicalities like shutter speed, aperture and focus and how these should be creatively manipulated in certain situations. E.g.to get the right amount of blur in golden grass. Composition is always the most important subject and it is best taught in the sighting, where the learning can be applied instantly. Isak will always be available to point out how you can improve your composition and give you the technical breakdown behind their chosen advice. As we are presented with different weather and light conditions they will teach you to study the skies and how to make a pre-emptive decision on where to shoot when the light peaks. One of the great aspects of South Luangwa is that
it offers extended night drives, meaning that we will spend plenty of time photographing at night using a spotlight. The effect achieved with a spotlight is stunning, although it can feel technically daunting, but Isak will show you how easy it actually is when you know which settings to use.

PRESENTATIONS AND EDITING

During the middle of the non-travelling days we will sit down for an informal workshop, designed to teach you the aspects that will improve your own photography, no matter what level of photographer you are. The digital darkroom has become a crucial part of photography and Isak will present various techniques using images taken by the participants of the workshop. Isak has extensive experience with Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge and Nik Color Efex, but he will also do his best to help with your program of choice.

ONE-ON-ONE ATTENTION AND CREATIVE FREEDOM

The fact that there will only be a maximum of 8 photographers means that over the course of 10 days, each client will get plenty of assistance, guidance and tutoring from Isak. This also means that there will be far fewer lenses pointed at the same subjects than on normal safaris. This gives you a better chance to explore your creativity and to photograph the subjects from all angles.

OUR GOAL

On every safari we always discuss everything from the most fundamental principles, through to the philosophical and abstract. Whatever it is you would like to learn, we’re happy to help out. Our goal is to send you home with great images, new knowledge, fond memories and feeling inspired.

Isak Pretorius

Why Travel with Us

Our guides are sought-after photographic guides, well known and highly acclaimed in the industry. Their awards and published work in the world’s leading landscape and wildlife publications is a testament to their knowledge, skill and creativity. We believe we are the best in the industry and are continuously looking to improve our skill and workshops.

South Luangwa was hand-picked as a photo workshop destination because of its open terrain, variety of wildlife, birds, and unique landscapes, and its “authentic” safari feel. We know Africa, and we’ve been photographing Zambian wildlife since 2008, so we know it well. With our good relationship with the lodge and staff we are able to be at the right places and find the right sightings in the best light for your photography.

This photo safari was designed to fine tune the typical photo workshop itinerary to create the best product in the market that excels in quality on every level – from the moment you are picked up from the airport, the quality of the accommodation, the photographic sightings, activities like hide photography, and a photo workshop schedule that will help to improve your own photography. The goal is to take you to the best spots and get you to take your own great photographs while enjoying the best comfort and hospitality that Zambia has to offer.

We specializes in wildlife, bird and landscape photography exclusively and this is the biggest differentiator from other safaris. This means we selected the best time of the year and photographic locations to get you the best wildlife, bird and landscape photographs.

Our guides are at least 6th generation African. Who better to show you the African continent than people who live there? They have explored their home and neighbouring African countires as travellers even before digital photography and workshops became popular, and with a camera have spent more than 10 years chasing the best light in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. Therefore they know the people, the culture and we have developed relationships with the local people that gains them access to special places.

With a client repeat booking rate of 80% it means they must be doing something right!

DAY 1 – Arrival at Mfuwe Lodge (for the elephants walking through reception) and First Game Drive

Arrival at Lusaka International Airport. This photo safari starts and ends at this airport, so it is your responsibility to arrange your own international flights. If you need flights to be arranged for you please email me at isak@theafricanphotographer.com for a quote and options.

Your professional photographer and host, Isak Pretorius, will meet you at the Lusaka International Airport. We will depart Lusaka at 11:00 via a scheduled domestic flight, landing at Mfuwe Airpot at roughly 12:00. From Mfuwe Airport, there will be a 30 minute road transport to the camp. Once you’ve arrived at camp there will be a short orientation and a chance for you to settle into your chalet to unpack and get your photographic equipment ready. We will meet for lunch and have a chance to discuss the workshop before embarking on our first afternoon game drive.

We will base ourselves at Mfuwe Lodge for the next three nights to give us our best chance to see the elephants walking through reception. The elephants do this to get to an giant wild mango tree in the courtyard of the lodge. It is impossible to know exactly what time of the day they will walk through the lodge. Typically they do this almost every day from mid November in the late morning, and some times even in the afternoons. So, our plan for the duration of our stay at Mfuwe Lodge will be to keep our game drives close to the lodge and be in radio contact with them at all times. When anyone sees elephants close to the lodge we’ll make our way back there. The game viewing around the lodge is fantastic, so we’ll fill our memory card with more than just photos of elephants!

The first drive is about enjoying, relaxing and to get familiar with the photography from the vehicle and to get familiar with the South Luangwa landscape and photographic opportunities. On this drive the aim is to take photos ‘as you are used to’, so that it sets the benchmark to measure the images taken at the end of the photo workshop against.

Before Dinner, the guide will give a short presentation showing a variety of images and how, by using specific aspects, you can alter and change an image dramatically.

DAY 2,3 – Morning and Afternoon Game Drives at Mfuwe Lodge

During the next two full days the daily schedule will remain more or less the same. The times are flexible and might vary slightly depending on the sunrise times, the sightings and our activities (e.g. we might decide to have an extended morning drive). Generally we follow this schedule:

19:30 – Dinner and then retire to bed for another day of more great photography

The topics of the photo presentation and workshops are not fixed and will be altered to meet the specific requirements of all the guests. These could include the following:

* Understanding light

* Understanding composition

* Tutorials on advanced photo techniques

* Use of Lenses for various effects

* Post processing your images in Lightroom or Photoshop

* Cataloguing images

* Startrail and starscape photography

* Flash use and advanced flash use

During the photo workshop sessions there will be a chance for guests to bring their own photos for feedback and critique by the guides. Typically three photos from each guests per session are enough to not only see what different photos we all got from the same sightings but the feedback the critique on your photos is one of the best ways to improve your own photography.

DAY 4 – Move from Mfuwe Lodge to Bilimungwe Bushcamp for the African Pitta

A late morning road transfer from Mfuwe Lodge to Bilimungwe Bushcamp means that we’ll have time for a short morning drive at Mfuwe Lodge before we change camps. Bilimungwe Bushcamp is a three hour drive south from Mfuwe Lodge in the South Luangwa National Park, on the banks of the Luangwa river. This is where we’ll look for the African Pitta. There are a number of breeding pairs in the thickets close to the camp, and although they are still elusive, their mating calls usually give their positions away. Photographers in the past few years have had the best success their in photographing them than anywhere else in Africa. The game viewing around Bilimungwe Bushcamp is great, so we will spend the next few days looking for these birds while on game drives, with a good chance of seeing and photographing more than just the bird.

Once we arrive at Bilimungwe Bushcamp, we’ll have lunch and then a chance to unpack and settle into our rooms. After high tea we’ll go on our first game drive in search of the African Pitta and everything else that will make great photos. The afternoon game drives extend into the evenings for stunning night drives. Here we’ll have the chance to photograph nocturnal animals, like leopard, genets, owls and elephant shrews, using a spotlight. After the night drive we’ll return to camp for dinner and bed.

DAY 5,6 – Morning and Afternoon Game Drives at Bilimungwe Bushcamp

During the next two full days at Bilimungwe Bushcamp the daily schedule will remain more or less the same as at Mfuwe Lodge.

DAY 7 – Move from Bilimungwe Bushcamp to Mfuwe Lodge

A late morning road transfer from Bilimungwe Bushcamp to Mfuwe Lodge means that we’ll have time for a short morning drive at Bilimungwe Bushcamp before we head back to Mfuwe Lodge. Another three hour road transfer means we’ll get to Mfuwe Lodge, unpack and then have a chance for an afternoon game drive there. We’ll only spend one night at Mfuwe Lodge, and a last chance to see more elephants walking through the reception, before going to see the bat migration.

DAY 8 – Move from Mfuwe Lodge to Wasa Lodge for the Bat Migration

An morning charter flight from Mfuwe Airport to Kasanka National Park means that we’ll have time for a short morning drive for those that are keen. After breakfast we’ll say goodbye to Mfuwe Lodge and embark on a road transfer to the airport for our flight. Once we arrive at Wasa Lodge in Kasanka National Park we’ll have time to unpack, settle into our rooms, and setup for the afternoon photography.

The activities at Kasanka involve short game drives to the lookout points from where we can photograph the bats. The bats are most active around dawn and dusk, so we’ll make sure we’re there at the best times.

After game drive we’ll head back to camp for dinner and bed.

DAY 9, 10 – Morning and Afternoon Activities at Kasanka National Park

The schedule for this day will be similar to those on the full days at Mfuwe Lodge and Bilimungwe Bushcamps. We’ll make the most of the morning and afternoon photography activities with an option of joining a midday photo workshop at the Lodge.

DAY 11 – Last Activity and Homeward Bound

Our last day begins with a short early morning activity and last chance to see the bats, after which we have breakfast. We will depart for Lusaka International Airport at around 09:00. This is unfortunately the end of your photo safari.

The Concept

Aimed at beginner/intermediate as well as advanced photographers, this workshop brings likeminded people together to enjoy nature and learn more about improving their photography. Isak Pretorius will be your host over the week. He is an award-winning photographer who will share his knowledge of wildlife photography on drives and during talks at camp.

There will be one private vehicle for photographers: three photographers and one guide. Non-photographers are allowed to join on the photographic vehicle if numbers allow – if not, non-photographing partners will be on their own vehicle with a ranger. On all our tours and workshops we may ask participants to rotate seats in the vehicles, taking it in turn to sit in the more popular seats in the front and the less popular ones in the rear. This requirement applies to everyone. If there is some reason why you can’t take your turn in the back of a vehicle (e.g. a bad back or travel sickness) please inform our office at the time of booking to see if we can accommodate you. We regret that anyone failing to inform us of such limitations before the tour will be expected to rotate seats in the same way as everyone else.

Enjoy some wildlife photography early in the morning, as the light and game activity will be perfect for photographic purposes. This activity will consist of a game drive, a guided walk, or even a canoe ride for the more adventurous! Afterwards, after a early morning activity, you will come back to camp for breakfast and photography lectures and discussions. You will have the opportunity to rest and eat lunch before heading out on your afternoon activity, which will again provide us with great light for photographing. You will get back after sunset for dinner and change to talk through your days photography. Every day, we will review some of the images taken on that day and discuss them as a group.

Mfuwe Lodge

Ease yourself into Luangwa life with a stay at the award-winning Mfuwe Lodge. Set inside the park, just five minutes drive from the main gate, the lodge’s allure is instantly obvious. Beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany, its thatched buildings are arranged around the banks of two lagoons where an endless stream of wildlife will keep you enthralled as you lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool. The airy interior of the lodge is an exquisite complement to its natural surroundings.

This region of the park is renowned for its prolific game – giraffe, hippos, buffalo, antelope, and crocodile are constant visitors to Mfuwe Lodge’s lagoon, whilst in November the local elephants regularly wander right through the lobby, lured by a nearby wild mango tree. Whether you stay overnight, or just have lunch en route to a Bushcamp, Mfuwe Lodge’s relaxed charm and enviable surroundings make it the perfect stopover. Voted Best Lodge in Zambia in 2009 Mfuwe Lodge also offers you the chance to relax at its Bush-Spa or buy a few mementos of your time in Zambia at our curio shop.

Bilimungwe Bushcamp

Warm and welcoming, this beautiful camp blends seamlessly with its surroundings and offers unrivalled wildlife viewings. It’s hard not to be seduced by the charm of Bilimungwe. Here, the traditions of the African bushcamp meet elegance and style to create a stunning camp that feels like it has grown organically out of the surrounding landscape. Set beneath a huge mahogany tree, the heart of Bilimungwe is the cool, shady lounge area that looks out over one of the camps three waterholes. Settle down in a cosy armchair with a sundowner and relax as you watch an enviable display of spectacular birds and animals that clearly feel as comfortable here as you do. With the open waters of the Luangwa River also on your doorstep and a nearby plain where leopard prowl, its clear that this is a nature-lovers paradise, and with Manda Chisanga – Bilimungwes award-winning resident guide – to lead you, you could not be in better hands. (In the event that Manda is not available, another guide from The Bushcamp Companys excellent and experienced team will be on hand).

Bliimungwe’s four raised thatched rooms have been carefully designed to ensure the height of comfort whilst still retaining that authentic bushcamp feel. The tangle of mature mahogany trees that surround camp are echoed in the rich, wood interiors and the beautiful wooden furniture, handmade by local artisans. Bright African textiles bring splashes of colour to the elegant rooms. After an early morning game drive, head back to your room for a refreshing, open-air waterfall shower, or continue the wildlife spectacle from your private deck. Two of the chalets have twin beds (queen-sized beds), while the other two each have a king bed. Bilimungwe sleeps up to eight guests and is open from May to December.

Wasa Lodge

Wasa Lodge is located on the shores of Lake Wasa and is a delightfully peaceful and tranquil location in Kasanka. Wasa is also the heart of all the Kasanka operations and the bigger of the 2 lodges in Kasanka National Park. A wonderful place to take time out, enjoy the wildlife and birds going about their lives in front of you and the ideal lodge to be based to experience the incredible Bat Migration.

Wasa lodge can accommodate a total of 8 couples or 20 people if utilising all our available beds. There are 4 large chalets and 3 smaller rondavels, all set in the treeline or overlooking over the lake. All the chalets are built in a circular shape and have thatched roofs.

The larger chalets all have double and single beds in the room, a verandah and a simple shower, basin and flush toilet in an en-suite bathroom. The smaller chalets have double or twin beds and an en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and simple bucket showers. Between the chalets is a tree-top platform which makes for a stunning sunrise spot listening to the hippo, puku and fish eagles. The main dining area has beautiful views and is complemented by a cosy bar and chill zone while many a warm and cold drink are enjoyed around the fireplace outside the main building.

Wasa Lodge is located near the airstrip and is the closest accommodation to Maluashi Gate. Wasa is also situated in an area of the park that offers great viewing of puku, hippo, sitatunga and of course, is the closest lodge to the famous Kasanka Bat Forest.

Costs

US$ 11,000 per person sharing

* US$ 1,500 per single supplement
* 30% deposit confirms your place

THE ABOVE COSTS INCLUDE:

* Pickup and transport for the entire tour
* All local flights
* Entrance to concessions and accommodation in camps
* All meals, based on three meals a day
* Activities
* The services of our guides

Personal items and clothing

What should I know about vehicle etiquette?

On all our tours we may ask participants to rotate seats in the vehicles, taking it in turn to sit in the more popular seats in the front and the less popular ones in the rear. This requirement applies to everyone. If there is some reason why you can’t take your turn in the back of a vehicle (e.g. a bad back or travel sickness) please inform our office at the time of booking to see if we can accommodate you. We regret that anyone failing to inform us of such limitations before the tour will be expected to rotate seats in the same way as everyone else.

There is also other vehicle etiquette that we would like to ask you to adhere to. We give these guidelines to ensure a positive experience for all when on safari:

* Please keep noise levels low at an animal sighting. This allows people to enjoy the setting and listen to sounds that the animals may be making. Often these alert us to some behaviour and allows us to anticipate any action that may occur.

* If you are seated in the front of the vehicle, please have consideration for the people behind you. A pre-arranged chat at the start of the safari is an excellent way to work out how you will be photographing and working around each other. It provides a positive working environment and allows everyone to photograph happily in the vehicle.

* When photographing, keep movement to a minimum. If you are going to shift places, then alert the others and do so as swiftly and directly as possible.

* Please do not do anything to effect the behaviour of the animals.

* Your driver/ranger has to adhere to certain rules and etiquette at sightings that you may not be aware of. This may mean you cannot stop exactly where you would like. Please bear this in mind at sightings, especially when there are other vehicles from other camps around.

What technical equipment or requirements do I need for the workshops?

For workshops a Digital SLR camera is recommended, with at least a 200mm lens to capture wildlife im- ages. A laptop for downloading is also helpful, although we can download image if necessary. On a Photo tour, two DSLR camera bodies and lenses are advised. The type of lenses you take depend entirely on the destination. We will advise according to each tour should you need advise.

Are there any extras I need to bring on a trip?

Most of our tours are all inclusive and we offer advice as to what to bring along. This is due to the differ- ent seasons and conditions of each safari. C4 Photo Safaris will always advise if you will be traveling in a Malaria area. If the tour is not all-inclusive, it will be clearly stated.
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Why do you choose such specific destinations for the Tours and Work- shops?

Each destination is hand picked by us for the beauty and photographic potential it holds. C4 Photo Safaris only travel to destinations that offer the best of what we are looking to photograph. If we know an area holds excellent wildlife, we will take tours there. There are many factors to consider- Seasonal variation can have a large impact on wildlife movements, animal and bird migrations, localalised animal movements etc. We of course take all this into consideration, ensuring that our tours are going to the best locations at the best times.

Is there any cell phone reception in the areas?

In most game reserves and wild areas there is no cell/mobile phone reception.

How safe am I in the game reserves in Africa?

C4 Photo Safaris only operate with lodges and reserves that use the best rangers. They ensure your safety whilst on safari and use very strict procedures when dealing with dangerous animals. Each lodge has a safety briefing on arrival which, if adhered to, makes your stay very safe.

What insurance/coverage do I need?

For Malaria, which tablets should I take, if any?

C4 Photo Safaris are not allowed to prescribe medical advice to clients. We will advise if the area visited is in a malaria area. You will need to consult with your local GP for medical advise on Malaria and prevention.

What about allergies?

Most safari camps are able to handle food allergies but not with the degree of skill that five star hotels do. The best way to handle an intolerance, is to simply avoid eating that particu- lar food as the menus in camp are quite diverse. If you have a more uncommon allergy, like being allergic to eggs, and you know of a solution (like a powder substitute), then bring it along on sa- fari. If you have a deadly allergy, then be sure to travel with your own medication and request in camp that that ingredient be removed from the kitchen and the store. As a side note, it is helpful to remember that many safari camps have to fly produce in or truck it in, over hundreds of miles. Furthermore, the camps, although impressive looking, actually have minimal infrastructure behind the scenes. If you assist the camp in managing your allergy, it will be a great help.

What about medicine, diseases and vaccinations?

Please check in with your local travel clinic or doctor for advice. From my experience, a yellow fever and hepatitis vaccination is a must, while the plethora of others are optional. Our safaris are conducted in low risk malarial areas but for your own peace of mind, we recommend that you take a prophylactic. In areas where you get tsetse flies in East Afri- ca, humans are not the primary disease carries, and contracting Tryps is very rare. There is nothing you can do about these flies except to dress appropriately (keep reading) and to apply mosie-guard. None of our current safari destinations carry significant amounts of tsetsi flies. The camps do have medicine kits and there is always an evacuation plan.

We do however find it practical to always travel through Africa with the following items:
* Immodium (keep this handy when traveling)
* Buscopan (for tummy cramps)
* Pain killers (that contain par- acetamol and a muscle relaxant)
* Antihistamine cream and tablets for any allergic reactions
* Melatonin to help speedy recovery from jetlag
* Any medicine or ointments that you would normally take at home
* Mosquito repellant
* A product called Mosie-guard for areas where Tsetsi Flies occur (manufactured in the UK and Deet does not work)
* Tweezers for any thorns or splinters
* Re-hydrants sachets (very important)
* Disinfectant or antibiotic cream (just for nicks, cuts or grazes)
* Plasters (to cover nicks, cuts or grazes)

Can I drink water and eat fresh produce on safari?

We advise that you only drink bottled water, which is always available in camps. Avoid ice as this is often made from local water which although is generally safe to drink, your foreign tummies might disagree! It is safe to eat fresh produce.

What about food on safari?

Both East and much of Southern Africa was a British colony and as such, you can expect that type of cuisine. The breakfasts usually consist of cereals and a hot English breakfast. Lunch- es are usually light with a variety of salads and always a meat option. Dinners are traditional English affairs usually with a soup starter and freshly baked camp bread. The main course will usually be a roast of sorts, with vegetables. Dessert is usually a simple affair consisting of fruit or a baked pudding. You will not go hungry! (A side note to mention is that between meals there are often not snacks readily available and breakfast is often only later in the morning. You might want to bring a few snacks or energy bars if you have a problem keeping your sugar levels up.)

Any luggage restrictions?

The reality is that on any scheduled charters in Africa, there will be luggage restrictions. Short of charter- ing your own flight (which we can do), our advice is to bring only the essential camera equipment. Having too much equipment can actually hinder your photography. Also, you can get washing done in camp and with a fairly moderate to hot climate, you can afford to pack light. In short, bring fewer clothes so that you can bring more camera gear! Depending on the safari you book, we will be able to advise you on exact weight restrictions.

What amount of spending money should I bring along?

Our tours cover all travel, food and accommodation costs (unless otherwise stated). This means that spending money can be kept to souvenirs, curios and books. This normally amounts to Euro 10.00 per person per day.

Commercial representation and wildlife photography consulting

C4 Photo Safaris has the full capacity to plan and run commercial photo shoots for professional clients. We are able to supply you with the best guides in the wildlife photography industry as well as organize and run all your ground handling logistics for the shoot. Our knowledge of African travel logistics combined with our specialized knowledge of wildlife and the best places to photograph them, places us in the perfect position to plan and run your commer- cial shoot. Please contact Shem with your request. Additionally we can supply photographers for the shoot where they would work under the production name. On all tours with c4 images and safaris, our guides have the right to take photographs. Their goal is to get you into the right position and tutor you into getting the best photograph. Once they have done so, they have full rights to take their own photographs. The rights of the guides and all of their images remains with the individual guide who took the photographs. No other person has any rights over the photographs taken by a guide representing C4 Photo Safaris.

Click on the icons to get a glimpse of the photos you could be taking, the accommodation that you can expect, and what life on this Photo Safari is like.